“Hey there, partner.” Axel stage-whispered to Mason. “ChooseHome Alone.”
“That’s a kid movie.” Mason frowned, clearly offended.
“What?” Axel scoffed. “Jingle All the Wayis literally about toys!”
The boy scowled. “And a superhero.” If an expression could actually speak the word “duh,” Mason’s would have.
“Either movie is obviously perfect since you’re both children.” Kat plopped on the couch next to Chloe and shot Axel a warning look. “Eight inches, Cowboy.” He reluctantly scooted away from Chloe.
“Hey.” Nick caught Holly’s eye by the coat rack as Ryan and Lydia moved into the living room and joined the movie debate. “Can we talk?”
Her green eyes flickered with suspicion, but to her credit she nodded. “Sure. Outside.”
Nick turned and led the way back down the porch stairs. At this point, no one should notice if they were gone for a few minutes—hopefully. The last thing he needed was Thomas to see them out the window and assume Nick was another Axel on the loose.
They stopped in the yard by Frosty—away from the windows—and squared off. The inky night sky, dotted with stars, stretched above them, serene and unaware. Cold air nipped at the back of Nick’s neck.
“I don’t have the snow globe on me, don’t worry.” Holly crossed her arms over her sweater and lifted her chin. “Or should I say, poisoned orb?”
Nick shook his head. “Okay, I deserve that.”
“You actually deserve—” Holly snapped her mouth shut. “Never mind.”
He raised his eyebrows. “What?”
“It’s nothing.” Her hair glistened under Frosty’s ambient light, and she visibly swallowed.
“No, I think it’s something.” Nick shoved his hands into his pockets, studying her drawn expression. Definitely something. “Maybe if you tell me, we could finally get somewhere.”
Holly looked down at her boots, then up at Frosty. He followed her gaze, remembering the way the carrot nose had jabbed him awake. Had that only been this morning?Something about the farm seemed to make time more of a suggestion than a fact.
Or maybe that was just Holly’s effect.
She met his stare, and he drew a steadying breath and waited. Sort of like one would if they were taking cues from a wild animal before deciding if it’d be better to run or play dead.
“Get somewhere?” She hiked her brows at him. “Tell me, Nick, where would you like to go? Because I’m pretty sure it’s not to my mom’s annual block party.” She held his gaze, which held zero humor or sarcasm. Only…
Hurt?
He shifted his weight, dried winter grass crunching under his shoes. “What do you mean?” Surely not—
“I know my brother talked you into taking me.” She hugged herself a little tighter. “I know you aren’t really here to be my date on your own accord.”
Oh no. His mouth went dry. “Holly…”
“Don’t. It is what it is.” She held up one hand. “I overheard you and Ryan talking right after you got here.”
Oh boy. He grimaced. So that explained it. “Hence the full-out Christmas assault worthy of a made-for-TV movie?”
“Hence.” She nodded once.
He let that soak in. “Creative.”
She shrugged, lips twisting into a half smile, half grimace. “I figured, why get mad when I could get even.” The half smile dissipated. “Ironically, the snow globe gift was my way of making amends, calling off the war you didn’t realize existed.”
And he’d gone and screwed that up too.
Nick blew out his breath, which formed an instant cloud against the night air. An owl hooted from a nearby tree. Even it sounded judgmental. “Look. I’m really sorry—”
